Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) parasitizing bats in Poland and Slovakia.

Abstract

We summarize the previously published reports and the results of our own research about distribution of ticks parasitizing bats in Poland and Slovakia. Five species of ticks infesting bats were recorded: Carios vespertilionis, Ixodes (E.) vespertilionis, I. (P.) simplex, I. (I.) ricinus and I. (Ex.) trianguliceps. Two last species were observed only on bats in Poland. C. vespertilionis, I. vespertilionis and I. simplex are specific parasites of bats. C. vespertilionis was recorded on 37 sites in Poland and 7 in Slovakia. Fourteen species of bats in Poland and 5 in Slovakia were parasitized by this species. I. vespertilionis was collected from 6 bat species both in Poland and Slovakia respectively on 22 and 11 sites, respectively. The remaining species have been reported very rarely.